The British government has turned down Nigeria’s bid to have former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu transferred home to complete his prison sentence, deepening an already sensitive diplomatic issue surrounding his conviction for organ trafficking.
Officials familiar with the development said London communicated its position clearly, stressing that the sentence handed down to Ekweremadu must be served under UK jurisdiction.
According to a senior diplomatic source, “The British authorities believe this case falls strictly under their criminal justice system, and they have no intention of releasing jurisdiction.”
Ekweremadu, who once held significant political influence in Nigeria, has remained in a UK correctional facility since his 2023 conviction.
British prosecutors had accused him and his associates of attempting to harvest the kidney of a young Nigerian man for his ailing daughter, an allegation that triggered widespread global reactions.
The UK court sentenced him to nine years and eight months after finding him guilty of conspiring to exploit the donor.
Moreover, the ruling was historic, marking the first time a former Nigerian lawmaker of his status was convicted abroad for such an offence.
Nigerian authorities had hoped to rely on existing prisoner transfer agreements to secure his relocation, but British officials insisted the gravity of the case made a transfer inappropriate.
However, the federal government is expected to continue diplomatic consultations, as officials argue that Ekweremadu’s transfer would allow him to serve his term closer to family while still fulfilling the requirements of justice.
The development adds another layer to Nigeria–UK relations, particularly around issues of human rights, migration, and cross-border criminal justice cooperation.
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